International sales fell in 2006

Units sold was flat, but price declines brought down dollar values

JAN. 19 | The sell-through market was somewhat tougher internationally in 2006 than it was in the U.S.

Although overall U.S. consumer spending on purchases grew a scant 1.4%, consumer sales in the rest of the world fell 4.8% to $16.27 billion, according to Media Control GfK International.

Media Control’s U.S. president, Amy Heller, said that in terms of units sold, the international market was essentially flat, with the drop in dollar value due partially to price declines, particularly in the U.K. Unit sales in the U.K., one of the largest home video markets outside the U.S., grew 3% during the year, but dollar value dropped by 6%.

Media Control data shows DVD accounting for more than 99% of packaged home entertainment sales internationally, a similar percentage to the U.S. VHS, UMD and the high-definition Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD formats combined made up less than 1% of the international market, with VHS and UMD each hovering near $50 million. The two high-def formats represented less than $5 million combined.

Media Control collects point-of-sale data from retailers outside the U.S. and claims market coverage ranging from 65% to 90% in individual territories.